Tokyo is served by two main airports -- New Tokyo International (at Narita) and Haneda. Most international travelers arrive at Narita, which is unfortunate, because it is surely the most inconvenient of any major city airport in the world. The airport is located 60 kilometers outside the city limits and has only one operational runway. (Haneda is primarily for domestic travel, though regulators launched plans in late 2000 to begin using the facility for international flights).

New Tokyo International, known to most travelers as simply Narita, opened in 1980. Because of disputes with local farmers who refused to allow the expropriation of their land and student radicals trying to stop the construction of Narita, the airport authority has been battling for decades to acquire the remaining land needed for expansion -- with little success. A rice paddy still sits defiantly in the middle of the new runway, which has been completed around it. Authorities say the second runway will be opened in 2002.

Narita is extremely busy. On average, the airport handles 117 flights (arrivals and departures combined) a day. Its area totals 1,065 hectares with buildings occupying 710 hectares.

Signs are usually in Japanese and English, with some airlines displaying signs in Korean and Chinese as well. Despite the ample signage, the airport itself can be confusing and immigration procedures can be slow. Travelers should allow at least an hour to get through Customs and the baggage claim.

The Narita Airport consists of two terminals, located about a mile apart and connected by free shuttle bus service. Buses depart approximately every 10 minutes and take about 10 minutes to travel between terminals.

Airlines using Narita Terminal 1 include: Air France, Air Tahiti, Alitalia, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Varig Brazilian Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Airlines using Narita Terminal 2 include: Aeroflot, Air China, Air Lanka, Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, Air India, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Canadian Airlines International, China Eastern Airlines, Continental Airlines, Continental Micronesia, Delta Airlines, Egypt Air, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Japan Air Systems, Japan Asia Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Qantas Airways, Sabena Belgian World Airlines, SAS, Swissair, Thai Airways International and Turkish Airlines.

Phone booths are scattered throughout the two terminals and can be found by walking a few minutes in virtually any direction. The basic charge for a phone call is 10 yen. Keep in mind that calls from Narita to Tokyo are long distance, so you can go through a pocketful of change in a hurry. Charge for a three-minute call to Tokyo is 100 yen. Because of this, it is wise to buy a phone card or two, which can be used anywhere in Japan and can save a lot of time and irritation. Cards cost 1,000 yen each. Many have pictures of landmarks and scenery on them and can make cool souvenirs. Cards are sold at kiosks, convenience stores, and bookstalls and vending machines near the banks of phones at the airport.

Baggage trolleys are free and readily available, as are airport porters who can help you with your luggage. They work for the airport authority and charge 500 yen per piece of luggage. Visitors are discouraged from tipping porters. You can also arrange to have your luggage sent to your hotel the next day by stopping off at one of the delivery service counters in the arrivals lobby of either terminal. The charge is roughly 2,000 yen per piece of luggage up to 30 kilograms.

Guidebooks and maps are available from kiosks, vending machines, bookstores, and from the two Tourist Information Centers, both located near the arrival gates (look around for the signs as you exit the arrival area). Open daily from 9am to 8pm.

For more information, call Narita Airport Service Center, Tel: + 476 32-2802. It is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and located at the third floor of the central building of Terminal 1. Their well-designed homepage (www.narita-airport.or.jp/airport) has flight information, airport maps, information on available facilities, and subway, train and bus connections to the city.

Terminal Fee
Departure tax at Narita is 2,040 yen and is included in the ticket fee.

Restaurants
There are numerous restaurants in the airport, serving Japanese, Chinese and Western cuisine (including McDonald's restaurants in both terminals), in addition to coffee shops, kiosks and food courts.

Medical Facilities
There is a clinic in each terminal. In Terminal 1, there is the Fujikura Hospital Airport Clinic (Tel: 476-32-8877) and in Terminal 2, the Nippon Medical School New Tokyo International Airport Clinic (Tel: 476-34-6119). There are also several drugstores at Narita. In Terminal 1, Drugstore Omori sells medicine and food items plus cosmetics, confectionery and cigarettes. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Drugstore Leopard, also in Terminal 1, has medicine, personal hygiene products, vitamins, sun block and insect repellant spray and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Terminal 2, Drug Miyazaki has a wide selection of pharmaceuticals and healthcare items with an on-duty pharmacist. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Money changers
If you have foreign currency other than U.S. dollars, it is wise to convert some of it to yen (the symbol for yen is ¥) while at the airport. Even at leading city banks, tellers are not always accustomed to handling some foreign currencies. The money exchange centers at Narita Airport are open from 6 a.m. until the last flight arrives at night. There are also several banks and ATM machines at the Narita Airport including Citibank, Visa, American Express, Keiyo Bank, Daichi Kangyo Bank and JCB. Business hours are long with some banks opening as early as 6 a.m. and closing as late as 11 p.m.

Airport Hotels
There are a number of hotels located near Narita. Major hotels in the area include: (all numbers are country code 81)

Hotel Nikko Winds Narita
560 Tokko
Narita-shi, Chiba
Tel: 476-33-1111

ANA Hotel Narita
68 Horinouchi
Narita-shi, Chiba
Tel: 476-33-1311
Fax: 476-33-0244

Hotel Nikko Narita
500 Tokko
Narita-shi, Chiba
Tel: 476-32-0032
Fax: 476-32-3993

Holiday Inn Tobu Narita
320-1 Tokko
Narita-shi, Chiba
Tel: 476-32-1234
Fax: 476-32-0617

Radisson Hotel Narita Airport
650-35 Nanaei,Tomisato-machi
Inba-gun, Chiba
Tel: 476-93-1234
Tel: 476-93-4834

Other facilities

Post Offices
There are four post offices, two each in both terminals.

Shower Facilities and Transit Lounges
Shower rooms and sleeping rooms are available in both Terminals 1 and 2. The facility in Terminal 1 has a room in which visitors in wheelchairs can rest. Children's rooms in which children and parents can play together are also available in both terminals. Terminal 2 has an audio-video room on the third floor equipped with headphones.

Business Center
Terminal 2 has a business center on the third floor, which is open from 7am to 9pm daily.